Sound reproducing device



Feb. 25, 1958 J. L. ROULET 2,824,617

SOUND REPRODUCING DEVICE Filed Aug. 5, 1953 IN VE/V TOR 5 2 JEAN LOUIS ROULET 0 B,. a uqx AGENT United States Patent SOUND REPRODUCING DEVICE Jean Louis Roulet, Eindhoven, Netherlands, assignor, by mesne assignments, to North American Philips Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 3, 1953', Serial No. 372,065

Claims priority, application Netherlands September 15, 1952 Claims. (Cl. 18131) This invention relates to sound-reproducing devices in which high and low frequencies are reproduced separately the loudspeakers for high frequencies being provided above the loudspeakers for low frequencies, and the first mentioned loudspeakers radiating in different directions for obtaining a certain stray effect i. e. for more even distribution of the high frequencies.

It is known that loudspeakers radiate the high frequencies, i. e. frequencies above a limit of about 500 c./s., in the form of a beam to a greater or lesser degree. Consequently the energy-distribution of the radiated sound will depart from a sphere in such a manner that the radiation-energy is a maximum in one direction (main axis of radiation). Consequently in reproducing sound, for example in radio reception, the sound perceived greatly depends upon the location of perception. In order to mitigate this disadvantage it is known to cause the loudspeakers for said high frequencies to radiate in diverse directions for obtaining a certain stray effect.

The invention is characterized in that the loudspeakers for the low frequencies are arranged horizontally with respect to the main direction of radiation and along the periphery of the lower part of the housing, the upper part of the housing being shaped as a dome, over the surface of which the loudspeakers for the high frequencies are evenly distributed. This has the advantage that the radiation of sound in the range of the high frequencies shows an even distribution of energy approximating to that of the characteristic of a sphere, which, as will be appreciated from what has been said above, is considered ideal. Although formation into a beam of the low frequencies of a single loudspeaker does not occur to the same degree as with high frequencies, the ratio of the sound strength in front of and behind the loudspeaker is such that it is advisable to use a plurality of loudspeakers also for low frequencies, which loudspeakers are equitangentially arranged about the vertical axis of the housing.

In one form of pleasant appearance of the housing of the sound reproducing device the base of the dome is substantially congruent with the adjoining upper surface of the lower part of the housing.

It is advisable to construct the housing in such a manner as to accommodate supply members for the loudspeakers, if desired inclusively of accessories, more particularly a combination with a radio-receiver, a record player, a record changer, recording and reproducing apparatus for magnetic records and so on, room being also provided for housing records and magnetic record carriers.

In a suitable form, the space for said supply members is formed by the housing portion connecting the dome and the lower part of the housing. This has the advantage that said apparatus are at such a height as to permit control by a standing operator. An assemblage of pleasant appearance is obtained if the lower part of the housing and possibly also of the space for the supply members have the same cross-section throughout, preferably circular and congruent with the base of the dome.

Easy control of the supply members is promoted by using members adapted to be drawn out in a horizontal direction. It is advantageous to mount the housing so as to be rotatable about a vertical shaft, which permits the members to be brought within range of the operator by rotation of the housing.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, given by way of example, in which Fig. 1 is a side view, and

Fig. 2 is a vertical section at the height of the line II-II in Fig. 1.

With reference to Fig. 1, a housing 1 contains loudspeakers 2 for low frequencies, these loudspeakers being so arranged along the periphery of the lower part 3 of the housing as to radiate mainly in a horizontal direction. The upper part of the housing consists of a domeshaped body 4, over whose surface the loudspeakers 5 for high frequencies are evenly distributed. The portion 6 of the housing connecting the dome and the lower portion accommodates supply members for the loudspeakers, as will be explained later with reference to Fig. 2. As will be seen from Fig. l the base of the dome 4 is substantially congruent with the upper surface of the lower part of the housing. In this form, moreover, the cross-section of the parts 3, 6 of the housing is everywhere congruent with the base of the dome, said crosssection being circular (Fig. 2).

The whole housing is rotatable about the vertical shaft 7 journalled in a bearing 8. The rolling support is ob tained by means of rollers 9, two of which are visible in the drawing and which are movable over a race 10 also carrying the bearing 8.

The plan view of the cross-section of the housing 1 at the height of the line 11-11 is shown in Fig. 2 from which it is seen that the portion 6 of the housing accommodates supply members, for example a radio receiver 11, the dial 32 and knobs 13 of which are visible at the front side in Fig. 1, a record player 14 and recording and reproducing apparatus 15 for magnetic records inclusively of an amplifier, which members may at will be connected to the loudspeakers. Furthermore, the support for the members permits both the record player and the reproducing and recording apparatus for magnetic records to be drawn out parallel to the base, which permits easy control. The remaining spaces 16 accommodate accessories, for example magnetic record carriers 17 and record albums 18. Said spaces are accessible through doors 19 forming part of the outer wall of the housing and hinged on a vertical shaft 20. This also holds for the other side of the housing, the doors 21 giving access to the control space 22 for the amplifiers of the record player and the recording and reproducing apparatus for magnetic record carriers.

What is claimed is:

1. A sound reproduction device comprising in combination a housing having an upper domed portion, a first plurality of loudspeakers for low frequencies arranged adjacent to the bottom of said housing and projecting sound radiations in a substantially horizontal direction, a second plurality of separate loudspeakers for high frequencies being arranged above said first plurality of loudspeakers in said upper domed portion and projecting sound radiations in diverse directions.

2. A sound reproduction device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing further includes a part intermediate said loudspeakers for high and low frequencies and 3 connecting the upper domed portion with the lower part of the housing for accommodating accessories which utilize said sound-reproduction device.

3. A sound reproduction device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lower part of the housing and said intermediate part are substantially circular.

4. A sound reproduction device as set forth in claim 2 wherein at least one of said accessories is movable to the exterior of said housing and in a substantially horizontal direction.

5. A sound reproduction device asset forth in claim 1 further comprising a vertical shaft and means mounting said housing for rotational movement on said vertical shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Miller Ian. 6, Kosmerl Oct. 22, Ruddell Oct. 17, Lutsche July 14, Evans Dec. 22, Waite Jan. 10, Bucky Nov. 14, Harman June 24, Jensen Jan. 7, 

